Locking sliders for slide fasteners



ly 6, 1 6 v. SCHEUERMAN LOCKING SLIDERS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1965 INVENTOR. V. 5 CHEUERMAN G14LJMNJ4F ATTORNEYS y 6, 1966 2 v. SCHEUERMAN 3,262,172

LOCKING SLIDERS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed March 1.0, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i W 29 I 6 25 INVENTOR.

V. SCHEUERMAN BYGL.

ATTORNE Y5 July 26, 1966 v. SCHEUERMAN 3,262,172

LOCKING SLIDERS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed March L0, 1965 :5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. V. SCHEUERMA N A 7' TOR/VEYS United States Patent 3,262,172 LQCKING SLIDERS lFGlR SLIDE FASTENERS Valentine Sclreuerman, 726 Ridge Road, Smoke Rise, NJ. Filed Mar. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 433,538 7 Claims. (U. 242tl5.14)

This invention relates to locking sliders for slide fasteners and refers more particularly to flat-lock three-piece sliders.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a locking slider for slide fasteners having a compact comparatively fiat body which can be easily and effectively looked and unlocked and which will have no tendency to open in the case of a cross pull.

A further object is the provision of a locking device which can be quickly and readily assembled.

Another object is the provision of a locking slider which is most effective in operation and which can be easily and effectively manufactured of any suitable material.

Yet another object is the provision of a three-piece lock slider the pull tab of which will effectively lock the slider in two opposed positions while easily releasing the slider and providing a smooth operation of the slider in several intermediate open positions.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of the objectives of the present invention it was found desirable to provide a slider composed of specially constructed slider body, locking spring bail and pull tab. The slider body has top and bottom wings provided with side flanges which may be of different height and/ or the side surfaces of the flanges may be provided with adjacent outwardly extending portions. The front of the slider body has a central recess which may be T-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section. The spring bail consists of a flat strong resilient body having wing portions extending through two openings provided in the front section of the top wing of the slider body and an inclined central portion mounted upon wedge-like supports located upon the central section of the top wing. The rear of the spring bail has the shape of a prong extending through a transverse opening provided in the rear section of the top wing adjacent a protruding support bar piece. The end of the prong may have the shape of two bent flanges located on opposite sides of a downwardly projecting angular locking lip or it may have a central angular recess with two angular locking lips located on opposite sides of the recess. The pull tab has the shape of a flat elongated body provided at one end with an opening through which the prong of the spring bail extends. The edge of the pull tab located close to this opening is angular in shape to facilitate the swinging movements of the tab. The opposite free end of the tab may be reduced in width and provided with another opening.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a slider constructed in accordance wth the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the three parts of the slider before assembly.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section through the slider.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section through the slider.

FIGURE 5 is a different transverse section through the I slider.

FIGURE 6 shows a somewhat different construction of the locking spring bail.

3,262,172 Patented .luly 26, 1966 FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the three parts of a somewhat differently constructed slider.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the three parts of yet another slider.

The slider shown in FIGS. 14 of the drawings consist of three parts, namely, a slider body 7, a locking spring bail 8 and a cam action pull tab 9.

The slider body 7 comprises top and bottom wings 10 and 11, which are joined together by a neck 12 and have side flanges 6 and 13 to provide a Y-shaped channel for the passage of the zipper fastener elements in the usual manner. The rear end of the slider has an open mouth 14. The top wing 10 of the slider body is provided with two rectangular openings 15 and 16, two wedge-like protruding supports 17 and 18 located centrally upon the wing 10, a protruding support bar piece 19 located at the rear end of the slider body above the open mouth 14, and an angular transverse opening 20 extending parallel to the protruding support bar 19 and located between the bar 19 and the supports 17 and 18, close to open mouth 14. The upper flange 13 is substantially greater in height than the underlying lower flange 6. The front of the slider body is provided with a central transverse recess 5 which is T-shaped in cross-section and which is formed in the neck 12.

The locking spring bail 8 is made of suitable metal providing strong spring action. At its lower base 21 there are two angular wings 22 and 23, which during assembling are inserted into the openings 15 and 16 of the top wing of the slider body, thereby fastening the locking spring bail to the slider body. The center part of the locking spring bail consists of a saddle portion 24 which in assembled state rests on the two wedge-like protruding supports 17 and 18 of the top wing 1t) of the slider body. The locking spring bail continues in a downward prong 25, which carries a central locking lip 26. Two angular support wings 27, which assist in the looking and anchoring procedure are located on opposite sides of the lip which extends below the support wings 27. The prong 25 fits within the opening 20 of the slider body.

The cam action pull tab 9 comprises an angular opening 28, located near to the end portion 29 of the tab, which is close to the assembled rest of the unit. The outer end of the pull tab 9 is provided with converging sides 30 and an opening 31. The narrow elongated end portion 29 of the tab has an outer angular edge.

During the assembling operation the locking spring bail 8 is placed so that the downward prong 25, locking lip '26 and support wings 27 embrace the end portion 29 of the cam action pull tab 9 by protruding through the opening 28 before being inserted into the opening 20 of the top wing 10 of the slider body. The wings 22 and 23 of the spring are inserted into the openings 15 and 16 and then are stacked securely to the slider body.

In operation, the position of the end portion 29 of the tab 9 regulates the opening and the locking of the slider. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pull tab is inclined to the plane of the top wing 10 of the slider, or if it is perpendicular thereto, the portion 29 of the tab 9 lifts the spring 8 and its locking lip, thereby permitting free movement of the slider. On the other hand, if the tab 9 extends substantially parallel to the top wing whether forward or backward to the direction of closure motion, in both instances the locking lip of the locking spring bail is pressed downwards, and protrudes into the channel so that the slide fastener is in locked position, safely protected from unlocking by sidewards motion or in fact any motion, except by the lifting of the pull tab. In one of the locked positions the pull tab extends over the support bar pieces 17 and 18 of the slider body. The purpose of the supports 17 and 18 is to provide a firm support for the bail so as to prevent it from being damaged through any outside pressures. This occurs if the tab is in the forward locking position and is locked by turning the tab downward in the direction of the pulling closing action. In fully open position the tab is perpendicular to the plane of the top wing of the slider body (FIG. 4). The tab portion 29 is such that when tab is in the perpendicular or inclined position for purposes of opening the slider for movement, the saddle portion of the locking spring bail 9 is lifted slightly above the wedge-like sup orts 17 and 18, thereby simultaneously lifting the locking lip of the spring bail 9 to a position outside of the mouth. However, when in locked position, the spring bail rests on the wedge-like supports.

It is apparent that the described and illustrated slider provides a most effective lock for the slide fasteners which can be easily and quickly opened. It is most advantageous that the slider locks both in the forward and rearward positions of the pull tab, while it is open in the intermediate positions. The slider can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, is of compact size and is durable and eflicient in use. The pull tab and the slider body may be made of steel, while the spring can be also made of brass or copper. The assembled unit can be plated and partially or fully enameled. However, other materials may be also used.

FIGURE shows the manner in which the angular wings 22 and 23 are pressed tightly against the inner surfaces of the slider body 7. In this construction the wings 22 and 23 have outwardly extending angular end portions.

FIGURE 6 shows a construction wherein the wings 22 and 23 of the spring bail 8 have inwardly extending angular end portions. In other respects the construction is the same.

FIGURE 7 is a disassembled view of a somewhat differently constructed slider, similar parts being indicated by the same numerals. In this construction the slider body 37 has top and bottom wings 40 and 41, whereby it is the bottom wing 41 which has a side flange 43 of greater height than that of the side flange 36 constituting a part of the top wing 40. Thus the effects of the two side flanges are interchanged, as compared to the previously described construction. In other respects this slider body is essentially the same as the other previously described. The locking spring bail 38 differs from the one previously described in that its downward prong 45 has two locking lips 46 located on opposite sides of the central angular opening 47. The pull tab 9 is the same as in the previously described construction. The manner of assembly of this slide fastener and its operation are the same as those of the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIGURE 8 is a disassembled view of yet another slider, whereby similar parts are again indicated by the same numerals. In this construction the slider body 57 has top and bottom wings 50 and 51 which are provided with side flanges 52 and 53, respectively. The heights of the two flanges are substantially the same. However, the side flange 52 has a side surface portion 54 extending outwardly at an acute angle to the main vertical side edge. The side flange 53 has a similar outwardly bent surface portion 55. This construction provides a better handling and operation of the slider body. Furthermore, in this construction the front recess 56 of the slider has the shape of a wide U in cross-section. In other respects the construction is essentially the same as those previously described. The locking spring bail 8 is the same as the one shown in FIG. 2, and the pull tab 9 is the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. The manner of assembly and operation are the same as those of previously described constructions.

It is apparent that the examples described above have been given solely by way of example and are capable of many variations and modifications within the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A locking slider for slide fasteners, comprising, in combination, a slider body having a top wing, a bottom wing, a neck joining the two wings, a separate side flange integral with each of said wings, said wings, said flanges and said neck forming a Y-shaped passage for the fastener elements, the front of the slider body having a central recess, the rear of the slider body having an open mouth, at least one wedge-like support carried upon said top wing substantially in the middle thereof and extending upwardly toward the rear of the slider body, said top wing having two similar symmetrically disposed openings located between the front of the slider body and said support and a transverse opening located between the rear of the slider body and said support, and a support bar extending parallel to and adjacent said transverse opening and between said transverse opening and the rear of the slider body; a locking spring bail having a central portion extending over said wedge-like support, two angular wings extending through said symmetric openings and a rear prong having at least one locking lip; and a tab having an opening and a narrow elongated end portion located adjacent the last-mentioned opening, said rear prong of the locking spring bail extending over said end portion of the tab and through said transverse opening of the slider body.

2. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central front recess of the slider body is T-shaped in cross-section.

3. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said side flanges of the slider body is of greater height than the other flange.

4. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rear prong of the locking spring bail has one central locking lip and two angular flanges located on opposite sides of the locking lip.

5. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central front recess of the slider body is U-shaped in cross-section.

6. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein said side flanges of the slider body have adjacent outwardly projecting portions.

7. A locking slider in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rear prong of the locking spring bail has two locking lips separated by an angular central recess.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,931 10/ 1953 Voity 24205.14 3,070,865 1/ 1963 Huelster 24-205.14

FOREIGN PATENTS 209,798 2/ 1957 Australia.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primmy Examiner. 

1. A LOCKING SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SLIDER BODY HAVING A TOP WING, A BOTTOM WING, A NECK JOINING THE TWO WINGS, A SEPARATE SIDE FLANGE INTEGRAL WITH EACH OF SAID WINGS, SAID WINGS, SAID FLANGES AND SAID NECK FORMING A Y-SHAPED PASSAGE FOR THE FASTENER ELEMENTS, THE FRONT OF THE SLIDER BODY HAVING A CENTRAL RECESS, THE REAR OF THE SLIDER BODY HAVING AN OPEN MOUTH, AT LEAST ONE WEDGE-LIKE SUPPORT CARRIED UPON SAID TOP WING SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE MIDDLE THEREOF AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY TOWARD THE REAR OF THE SLIDER BODY, SAID TOP WING HAVING TWO SIMILAR SYMMETRICALLY DISPOSED OPENINGS LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE SLIDER BODY AND SAID SUPPORT AND A TRANSVERSE OPENING LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE SLIDER BODY AND SAID SUPPORT, AND A SUPPORT BER EXTENDING PARALLEL TO AND ADJACENT SAID TRANSVERSE OPENING AND BETWEEN SAID TRANSVERSE OPENING AND THE REAR OF THE SLIDER BODY; A LOCKING SPRING BAIL HAVING A CENTRAL PORTION EXTENDING OVER SAID WEDGE-LIKE SUPPORT, TWO ANGULAR WINGS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SYMMETRIC OPENINGS AND A REAR PRONG HAVING AT LEAST ONE LOCKING LIP; AND A 